[ From: "Locals rail against state propositions," By Colby Frazier, DAILY SOUND, April 24, 2009 ]
Twenty-six days before voters hit the polls to decide the fate of six ballot measures aimed at helping the state get a grip on its tenuous budget situation, local politicians and residents railed yesterday against two of the most controversial propositions, 1D and 1E.
The propositions, which aim to divert into the state’s general fund hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for programs for children and the mentally ill, were called “misleading shams” by opponents, who pleaded with residents to vote no.
“These measures are aiming their sights on the most vulnerable,” said Santa Barbara County 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal. “These two measures are misguided, inappropriate shams.”
.. If approved, Proposition 1E would divert roughly $500 million over the next two years from the Mental Health Services Act, also known as Proposition 63, into the general fund.
Approved in 2004, Proposition 63 levied a 1 percent tax on personal incomes above $1 million.
... it provides a significant source of funding for 10 county programs... the county of Santa Barbara will receive more than $11 million in Proposition 63 funding this year.
Barry Schoer, executive director of Sanctuary Psychiatric Centers, said he had a hand in helping get the Mental Health Services Act approved, and for the state to dip into this money under the guise of balancing its budget would “undo what took 45 years to create.”
Schoer said the intent of Proposition 63 at the time of its approval was clear: to provide funding for mental health programs that had suffered decades of neglect.
They’re trying to “do so much harm to what we’ve worked so hard to create,” Schoer said of the Sacramento politicians who are supporting 1E.
Opponents of Proposition 1D are equally passionate, saying it will strip nearly $1 billion over the next five years from the First 5 Commission, which allocates roughly $2.5 million per year to children’s programs in the county.
This proposition would take money from Proposition 10, approved by voters in 1998, and reallocate it to an array of other programs.
Proposition 10 imposed a 50-cent tax on cigarettes. The funds garnered from the tax go to improving and creating development and health programs for children under the age of 5.
Proponents of the proposition say the funds will be used to improve other children’s programs, and furthermore, the diversions of funding, to the tune of $268 million per year, would only be for five years.
But opponents argue local programs that have proved effective will fall by the wayside, putting children across the state at risk.
Additionally, Schoer said the argument that the two propositions will somehow alleviate strain on the state’s budget is simply not true.
He said both propositions would account for no more than 1 percent of the state’s total budget. And if the proposition were to be approved, he said they would put such a strain on local preventative services, that the state and counties would pay far more in the long run on the needs of the mentally ill and children.
Though the city of Santa Barbara receives no direct funding from Proposition 63 or 10, its citizens benefit from the services, and when these are cut, cities will pay as well, according to city councilmember Helen Schneider.
Schneider, who was joined by councilmember’s Grant House, Iya Falcone, Das Williams and Roger Horton, said she’d be voting no on both propositions.
Sacramento is “balancing the budget on the backs of children and the mentally ill …,” she said. “That’s not going to solve the state’s budget crisis.”
More information about the propositions is available at www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/.
The last day to register to vote for the May 19 election is May 4. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is May 12. Voter registration forms can be downloaded at www.sbvote.com, or request an application by calling 800-SBC-VOTE.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Newsletter # 7
Das' newsletter is emailed periodically. If you are not already on the distribution list and would like to be, please email: das@legendarysurfers.com (Das' email address for the newsletter only).
DAS WILLIAMS Newsletter # 7, April 2009
Contents:
1. Outer Continental Shelf Oil Drilling
2. Westside Cleanup - April 25
3. Townhall Meeting on Education - May 1
4. Recommended 2010 Available for Review
Dear Friends and Family,
It's been crazy busy for me lately and I'm excited to share some updates about the positive things that have been going on. Jennifer had her cartilage graft surgery this past weekend and has been such a trooper through this entire process. She's on the path to recovery and we couldn't be more thrilled.
1. Last week, I had a small group meeting with President Obama's new Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in San Francisco, and even had the opportunity to talk to him one-on-one for one minute. I made that 60 seconds count, telling him we are willing to look at alternative energy, but that new oil drilling is unacceptable. As part of a delegation which spoke against the issuance of new leases to drill oil on California's Outer Continental Shelf, we asked that all areas off the California coast be left out of the plan for new drilling leases, particularly Santa Barbara due to its immense biodiversity and the fact that it is already burdened by more than its share of oil operations.
2. [from the Daily Sound] "Santa Barbara city and community leaders are organizing a cleanup of the Westside neighborhood designed to pick up litter, remove graffiti, and document broken sidewalks and damaged signs.
"Participants will meet at the Westside Community Center parking lot at 423 W. Victoria St. at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 25. Organizers will put together cleanup teams, hand out materials and supplies, and assign volunteers to various designated areas throughout the neighborhood.
"Most of the work is expected to take place within the boundaries of Castillo, Micheltorena, De la Vina and Figueroa streets. More information is available by calling Antonio Velasquez, the city's community services supervisor, at 963-7657."
3. Over the past couple months, I've had several conversations with teachers and school board members who are all wondering how they are going to properly educate our children without adequate state funding. As a school board member myself, I'm very familiar with their concerns. It is for this reason that I invited Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the California State Senate Education Committee, to attend a townhall meeting in our community. Together, we can use this forum to inform state leaders about the damage that budget cuts are doing to our public education system, and therefore to our kids. I'd love it if you could attend and help defend public education funding. Here are the details:
Place: Foothill Tech High, Spirito Hall (100 Day Rd, Ventura)
Time: Friday, May 1st 4-6pm
RSVP/ send statement to: Das.Williams09@gmail.com
4. The balanced, but not yet fixed draft budget for the City of Santa Barbara is now available for review.
[from the city's press release, 4/21/09] "The City of Santa Barbara released its Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2010, initiatingCity Council and public review of the proposed plan. The budget includes a total operating budget of $253.2 million and a capital budget totaling $29.2 million. The General Fund operating budget is $104.7 million, providing funding for police, fire, parks, recreation, library, community development, and administrative services.
"Due to declining revenues, the City estimates a $10.8 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, if no actions are taken. This represents approximately 10% of the General Fund operating budget. The budget balancing strategy involves a combination of the following measures: 1) department budget reductions; 2) increases in various fees and charges; 3) citywide labor measures such as a mandatory furlough; 4) structural budget changes; and 5) delays to capital improvements.
"During April and May, each department budget will be presented to Council with an overview of revenues, expenses, balancing strategy, service impacts, and proposed work plan for the upcoming year. The City Council will adopt a budget by June 30, 2009.
"According to City Administrator Jim Armstrong, "I am proud of the professionalism in which the organization dealt with these difficult decisions, and the strong emphasis on maintaining services, while trying to minimize employee layoffs."
The budget document, a schedule of public review meetings, frequently asked questions, and videos of Council budget discussions are available on the City's website at: www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov. The budget document is also available at the City Clerk's Office at 735 Anacapa Street and the Public Library at 40 E. Anapamu Street."
For more information, Contact: Nina Johnson, Assistant to the City Administrator
Phone: 805-564-5307 | Fax: 805-897-1993, NJohnson@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
Thank you for reading my periodic newsletter. Please share with family and friends.
DAS
DAS WILLIAMS Newsletter # 7, April 2009
Contents:
1. Outer Continental Shelf Oil Drilling
2. Westside Cleanup - April 25
3. Townhall Meeting on Education - May 1
4. Recommended 2010 Available for Review
Dear Friends and Family,
It's been crazy busy for me lately and I'm excited to share some updates about the positive things that have been going on. Jennifer had her cartilage graft surgery this past weekend and has been such a trooper through this entire process. She's on the path to recovery and we couldn't be more thrilled.
1. Last week, I had a small group meeting with President Obama's new Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in San Francisco, and even had the opportunity to talk to him one-on-one for one minute. I made that 60 seconds count, telling him we are willing to look at alternative energy, but that new oil drilling is unacceptable. As part of a delegation which spoke against the issuance of new leases to drill oil on California's Outer Continental Shelf, we asked that all areas off the California coast be left out of the plan for new drilling leases, particularly Santa Barbara due to its immense biodiversity and the fact that it is already burdened by more than its share of oil operations.
2. [from the Daily Sound] "Santa Barbara city and community leaders are organizing a cleanup of the Westside neighborhood designed to pick up litter, remove graffiti, and document broken sidewalks and damaged signs.
"Participants will meet at the Westside Community Center parking lot at 423 W. Victoria St. at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 25. Organizers will put together cleanup teams, hand out materials and supplies, and assign volunteers to various designated areas throughout the neighborhood.
"Most of the work is expected to take place within the boundaries of Castillo, Micheltorena, De la Vina and Figueroa streets. More information is available by calling Antonio Velasquez, the city's community services supervisor, at 963-7657."
3. Over the past couple months, I've had several conversations with teachers and school board members who are all wondering how they are going to properly educate our children without adequate state funding. As a school board member myself, I'm very familiar with their concerns. It is for this reason that I invited Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the California State Senate Education Committee, to attend a townhall meeting in our community. Together, we can use this forum to inform state leaders about the damage that budget cuts are doing to our public education system, and therefore to our kids. I'd love it if you could attend and help defend public education funding. Here are the details:
Place: Foothill Tech High, Spirito Hall (100 Day Rd, Ventura)
Time: Friday, May 1st 4-6pm
RSVP/ send statement to: Das.Williams09@gmail.com
4. The balanced, but not yet fixed draft budget for the City of Santa Barbara is now available for review.
[from the city's press release, 4/21/09] "The City of Santa Barbara released its Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2010, initiatingCity Council and public review of the proposed plan. The budget includes a total operating budget of $253.2 million and a capital budget totaling $29.2 million. The General Fund operating budget is $104.7 million, providing funding for police, fire, parks, recreation, library, community development, and administrative services.
"Due to declining revenues, the City estimates a $10.8 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, if no actions are taken. This represents approximately 10% of the General Fund operating budget. The budget balancing strategy involves a combination of the following measures: 1) department budget reductions; 2) increases in various fees and charges; 3) citywide labor measures such as a mandatory furlough; 4) structural budget changes; and 5) delays to capital improvements.
"During April and May, each department budget will be presented to Council with an overview of revenues, expenses, balancing strategy, service impacts, and proposed work plan for the upcoming year. The City Council will adopt a budget by June 30, 2009.
"According to City Administrator Jim Armstrong, "I am proud of the professionalism in which the organization dealt with these difficult decisions, and the strong emphasis on maintaining services, while trying to minimize employee layoffs."
The budget document, a schedule of public review meetings, frequently asked questions, and videos of Council budget discussions are available on the City's website at: www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov. The budget document is also available at the City Clerk's Office at 735 Anacapa Street and the Public Library at 40 E. Anapamu Street."
For more information, Contact: Nina Johnson, Assistant to the City Administrator
Phone: 805-564-5307 | Fax: 805-897-1993, NJohnson@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
Thank you for reading my periodic newsletter. Please share with family and friends.
DAS
Thursday, April 23, 2009
$10.5M Shortfall
[ From: "City faces $10.5m budget shortfall," By Eric Lindberg, DAILY SOUND, April 22, 2009 ]
With a $10.5 million budget shortfall looming on the horizon, Santa Barbara city leaders had their first look yesterday at a series of proposals to close the gap that include layoffs, furloughs, spending cuts and fee hikes.
Officials said they are trying to spread the cuts fairly across city departments, with a reduced impact on police and fire services.
“It is a plan of shared pain,” City Administrator Jim Armstrong said. “We feel it’s a responsible budget and addresses the situation honestly.”
With tax revenues taking a major drubbing courtesy of a much-weakened economy, the city is asking departments to cut spending by $7.4 million, in addition to seeking $1.5 million in labor concessions from city employees.
The initial budget proposal would cut 51.5 full-time positions, 30 of which are currently vacant. It would also cut four sworn police positions if the city doesn’t receive a competitive grant, along with eliminating six non-sworn police jobs.
“There is no doubt there will be pain,” City Councilmember Iya Falcone said. “There will be pain all around.”
Other plans call for closing library branches on Mondays, closing the 1235 Teen Center on Saturdays and shutting down the Lower Westside Community Center altogether.
Job cuts would be spread across city departments, from eliminating nine positions in the Community Development Department to 13 jobs in the Parks and Recreation Department (along with 17,000 hours of seasonal staff time).
While the initial proposal is a starting point for budget discussions, city officials made it clear that they plan to listen to community members and debate priorities.
“This is not what I would describe as a fixed budget,” Councilmember Das Williams said. “It’s a balanced budget, which is a good starting point.”
Armstrong noted that the fiscal year 2010 budget process promises to be the most difficult budget situation he’s seen during his decades of experience in local government.
Unemployment is soaring, financial institutions are failing, credit markets are frozen and consumer confidence is plummeting, he said. Sharp declines in tax revenues are having a widespread impact on city coffers throughout California.
“I’m typically hearing about city budget deficits that range from 5 to 20 percent,” he said.
The city’s deficit amounts to approximately 10 percent of its operating budget expenditures, which are projected to be $104.7 million next year.
Despite the cuts being proposed, Armstrong said he is hopeful that city services won’t suffer significantly.
“There is a little pain everywhere, but I don’t think the overall quality of service provided to the community will suffer too much,” he said.
Declining tax revenues are the largest source of the city’s fiscal funk. In creating a two-year financial plan more than a year ago, officials had projected them to go up $2.5 million next year. Now they are expected to drop $7 million below that projected level, City Finance Director Robert Peirson said.
And taxes make up 61 percent of the General Fund revenue stream, which is definitely the hardest-hit area of city finances.
In the first two quarters of this year, sales taxes have been down more than 6 percent and are expected to drop a total of 7 percent by June. Bed taxes are expected to be down 5 percent this year.
To address those revenue shortfalls, the city recently rebalanced its current budget and closed a $6.4 million shortfall.
While officials hope the end is in sight — the state’s finance department expects sales taxes to bottom out and start rising by mid-2010 — they are still facing projected drops in sales tax revenue of 1.4 percent and bed tax revenue of 2.2 percent next year.
“In 25 years of [experience], I’ve never seen an environment like this,” Peirson said.
In the brief economic downturn following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the city used budget reserves to address shortfalls. That’s no longer an option this time around, as the city has all but depleted those funds (the city’s disaster reserves, however, remain fully funded).
Instead, the budget plan proposes furloughing employees, eliminating vacation cash payouts and freezing benefits to pull together $1.5 million in savings. Negotiators are still in discussions with the main service workers bargaining unit, as well as police and fire associations.
“The wage concessions are really the hinge point,” Williams said. “Everyone needs to pitch in.”
If they come to an agreement that exceeds the $1.5 million figure, Peirson said the city could use the excess savings to restore some city services or prevent layoffs.
“We would like nothing better than that,” he said.
Officials also proposed cutting the city’s capital program by $800,000, which would delay replacement of its financial management system by 15 months.
Community funding would be cut by $228,000 under the initial proposal, including city support of the Conference and Visitor’s Bureau, the Downtown Organization and Santa Barbara Channels television.
City leaders will delve into each specific departmental budget in the coming weeks during a series of budget hearings. The first hearing takes place tomorrow from 2 to 5 p.m. in council chambers and will address the city administrator, city attorney, mayor and council and community development budgets.
Police and fire budgets will be discussed on May 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. The schedule for other departments can be found online at www.santabarbaraca.gov, along with a complete copy of the proposed budget.
The budget documents are also available on CD-ROM in the city clerk’s office or in hard copy at the library.
City leaders said they hope to see members of the public engage in the budget process to express their views on where cuts should take place.
“I’ll do what you want in terms of where your priorities lie, but we need to hear from you,” Falcone said.
-------------------------
For more information and details on the budget, please visit the city website's Budget and Finance
With a $10.5 million budget shortfall looming on the horizon, Santa Barbara city leaders had their first look yesterday at a series of proposals to close the gap that include layoffs, furloughs, spending cuts and fee hikes.
Officials said they are trying to spread the cuts fairly across city departments, with a reduced impact on police and fire services.
“It is a plan of shared pain,” City Administrator Jim Armstrong said. “We feel it’s a responsible budget and addresses the situation honestly.”
With tax revenues taking a major drubbing courtesy of a much-weakened economy, the city is asking departments to cut spending by $7.4 million, in addition to seeking $1.5 million in labor concessions from city employees.
The initial budget proposal would cut 51.5 full-time positions, 30 of which are currently vacant. It would also cut four sworn police positions if the city doesn’t receive a competitive grant, along with eliminating six non-sworn police jobs.
“There is no doubt there will be pain,” City Councilmember Iya Falcone said. “There will be pain all around.”
Other plans call for closing library branches on Mondays, closing the 1235 Teen Center on Saturdays and shutting down the Lower Westside Community Center altogether.
Job cuts would be spread across city departments, from eliminating nine positions in the Community Development Department to 13 jobs in the Parks and Recreation Department (along with 17,000 hours of seasonal staff time).
While the initial proposal is a starting point for budget discussions, city officials made it clear that they plan to listen to community members and debate priorities.
“This is not what I would describe as a fixed budget,” Councilmember Das Williams said. “It’s a balanced budget, which is a good starting point.”
Armstrong noted that the fiscal year 2010 budget process promises to be the most difficult budget situation he’s seen during his decades of experience in local government.
Unemployment is soaring, financial institutions are failing, credit markets are frozen and consumer confidence is plummeting, he said. Sharp declines in tax revenues are having a widespread impact on city coffers throughout California.
“I’m typically hearing about city budget deficits that range from 5 to 20 percent,” he said.
The city’s deficit amounts to approximately 10 percent of its operating budget expenditures, which are projected to be $104.7 million next year.
Despite the cuts being proposed, Armstrong said he is hopeful that city services won’t suffer significantly.
“There is a little pain everywhere, but I don’t think the overall quality of service provided to the community will suffer too much,” he said.
Declining tax revenues are the largest source of the city’s fiscal funk. In creating a two-year financial plan more than a year ago, officials had projected them to go up $2.5 million next year. Now they are expected to drop $7 million below that projected level, City Finance Director Robert Peirson said.
And taxes make up 61 percent of the General Fund revenue stream, which is definitely the hardest-hit area of city finances.
In the first two quarters of this year, sales taxes have been down more than 6 percent and are expected to drop a total of 7 percent by June. Bed taxes are expected to be down 5 percent this year.
To address those revenue shortfalls, the city recently rebalanced its current budget and closed a $6.4 million shortfall.
While officials hope the end is in sight — the state’s finance department expects sales taxes to bottom out and start rising by mid-2010 — they are still facing projected drops in sales tax revenue of 1.4 percent and bed tax revenue of 2.2 percent next year.
“In 25 years of [experience], I’ve never seen an environment like this,” Peirson said.
In the brief economic downturn following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the city used budget reserves to address shortfalls. That’s no longer an option this time around, as the city has all but depleted those funds (the city’s disaster reserves, however, remain fully funded).
Instead, the budget plan proposes furloughing employees, eliminating vacation cash payouts and freezing benefits to pull together $1.5 million in savings. Negotiators are still in discussions with the main service workers bargaining unit, as well as police and fire associations.
“The wage concessions are really the hinge point,” Williams said. “Everyone needs to pitch in.”
If they come to an agreement that exceeds the $1.5 million figure, Peirson said the city could use the excess savings to restore some city services or prevent layoffs.
“We would like nothing better than that,” he said.
Officials also proposed cutting the city’s capital program by $800,000, which would delay replacement of its financial management system by 15 months.
Community funding would be cut by $228,000 under the initial proposal, including city support of the Conference and Visitor’s Bureau, the Downtown Organization and Santa Barbara Channels television.
City leaders will delve into each specific departmental budget in the coming weeks during a series of budget hearings. The first hearing takes place tomorrow from 2 to 5 p.m. in council chambers and will address the city administrator, city attorney, mayor and council and community development budgets.
Police and fire budgets will be discussed on May 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. The schedule for other departments can be found online at www.santabarbaraca.gov, along with a complete copy of the proposed budget.
The budget documents are also available on CD-ROM in the city clerk’s office or in hard copy at the library.
City leaders said they hope to see members of the public engage in the budget process to express their views on where cuts should take place.
“I’ll do what you want in terms of where your priorities lie, but we need to hear from you,” Falcone said.
-------------------------
For more information and details on the budget, please visit the city website's Budget and Finance
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Offshore Drilling Hearing
[ From: "Offshore Oil Foes Pack Hearing on New Exploration - Drilling critics press their case at San Francisco meeting with Obama administration," By Sonia Fernandez, Noozhawk, 04.18.2009 ]
People from all over California... [attended the] petroleum exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf... hearings, moderated by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar... one of a series as his department considers a five-year program for oil and gas production.
A contingent from Santa Barbara County also made it to the hearing, including staff from the offices of Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, and Supervisors Salud Carbajal and Janet Wolf. Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams and Linda Krop, chief counsel at the Environmental Defense Center, also were on hand.
“We’re not NIMBYs, we’re looking at alternative energies and we’re open to exploring that,” said Williams, who was part of a delegation that spoke with Salazar prior to the hearing.
The group was one of many that turned out for the Thursday morning hearing, urging Salazar to reconsider the recently expired presidential and congressional moratoria on new oil leases in federal waters. The proposed five-year plan could open up 130 million acres of California coast to new exploration. Opponents say the risk to the environment outweighs the benefits the new exploration may provide...
Although the majority of speakers opposed new exploration and development, Carpinteria City Councilman Joe Armendariz, business leaders and representatives of the petroleum industry were also present to urge Salazar to consider the new oil operations...
At the height of last summer’s gas price increases, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to send a letter urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to take advantage of the lifting of the moratoria. The cities of Goleta and Santa Barbara subsequently passed resolutions against new drilling and last week the new majority on the Board of Supervisors reversed the previous board’s decision by passing its own resolution against new drilling.
Comment on the draft proposed five-year program will be accepted until Sept. 21. To comment and also for more information, go to the website for the U.S. Department of the Interior.
People from all over California... [attended the] petroleum exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf... hearings, moderated by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar... one of a series as his department considers a five-year program for oil and gas production.
A contingent from Santa Barbara County also made it to the hearing, including staff from the offices of Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, and Supervisors Salud Carbajal and Janet Wolf. Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams and Linda Krop, chief counsel at the Environmental Defense Center, also were on hand.
“We’re not NIMBYs, we’re looking at alternative energies and we’re open to exploring that,” said Williams, who was part of a delegation that spoke with Salazar prior to the hearing.
The group was one of many that turned out for the Thursday morning hearing, urging Salazar to reconsider the recently expired presidential and congressional moratoria on new oil leases in federal waters. The proposed five-year plan could open up 130 million acres of California coast to new exploration. Opponents say the risk to the environment outweighs the benefits the new exploration may provide...
Although the majority of speakers opposed new exploration and development, Carpinteria City Councilman Joe Armendariz, business leaders and representatives of the petroleum industry were also present to urge Salazar to consider the new oil operations...
At the height of last summer’s gas price increases, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to send a letter urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to take advantage of the lifting of the moratoria. The cities of Goleta and Santa Barbara subsequently passed resolutions against new drilling and last week the new majority on the Board of Supervisors reversed the previous board’s decision by passing its own resolution against new drilling.
Comment on the draft proposed five-year program will be accepted until Sept. 21. To comment and also for more information, go to the website for the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Supermarket Toxicity
[ From: "Janitors Protest Albertsons' Use of Allegedly Toxic Chemicals - Claim Grocery Store Chain Endangers Employees’ Health," By Sara Tan, SB INDEPENDENT, April 16, 2009 - click on "Supermarket Toxicity" for full text ]
Santa Barbara and Ventura county janitors... called for fairer wages, better healthcare, and a safer working environment...
Janitors claimed that their health is being put at risk by the toxic chemicals in the cleaning products, and criticized supermarkets — namely Albertsons... “A lot of these chemicals [used for cleaning] are outlawed in penitentiaries and schools,” Mike Chavez, SEIU Local 1877’s political coordinator. “How is it that we’re protecting criminals from these chemicals and we’re exposing the general public, in this case our janitors, to them?”
Protestors complained that after a day’s work, they either feel dizzy, nauseous, or that their throats hurt. “In some cases, [we] bleed in our nose because some of those chemicals are so concentrated,” said a SEIU member. “We contribute to this community, we do an excellent job, and we like what we do, but we need the company to commit to decent wages and respect [us].” Photos of worker’s hands, broken in rashes from chemicals, stood by the entrance of the supermarket, distracting customers as they walked in...
In addition to unsafe working environments, janitors also protested having to pay higher wages for healthcare, especially while supermarkets remain one of the few industries unscathed by the recession. “The supermarket industry is profiting because less people are eating out at restaurants and more people are eating at home,” said Chavez. “Yet, they’re crying wolf, saying that the economy is bad [which is why they’re] trying to scale back healthcare for our janitors. The combination of toxic chemicals and scaling back healthcare doesn’t make sense.”
Santa Barbara city councilmember Das Williams and Santa Maria city councilmember Hilda Zacarias showed support of the protest, speaking out against the supermarkets on behalf of the janitors. “[Janitors are already] working at wages that most of us couldn’t make it with. To ask them to take some of those hard-earned dollars and pay an increased cost in healthcare is unacceptable,” said Hilda Zacarias. “We’re going to ask you to tell Albertsons ‘No.’”
Williams, rallying directly beside the SEIU, also addressed the shoppers. “In the name of Santa Barbara, we ask Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons to stop using toxic materials for their cleaning supplies, transition to green materials like so many other industries are doing, and treat their workers fairly. This is a worker friendly town, and people want to shop at worker friendly businesses.”
In response to Tuesday’s protest and others like it throughout Southern California, Albertsons released a statement...
“... We work closely with our cleaning chemical suppliers to provide safe and effective cleaning products. The sanitation cleaning chemicals used to clean our stores are compliant with the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations and used in accordance with the manufacturers labeled directions.”
"... we are disappointed that this is the SEIU’s response to our commitment at the bargaining table. Albertsons believes the only way to get a new contract is to negotiate at the bargaining table, but instead, the SEIU is focusing on conducting rallies about topics that are untrue.”
Protestors, however, maintain the chemicals are injuring not only janitors but also Albertsons customers due to the toxic environment their products are being sold in. “In an environmentally conscious community such as Santa Barbara, a lot of people buy organic products; but the chemicals that they are using in the store [that they buy them from] are not,” said Chavez...
The janitors hope their protest will result in a bargaining session with Albertsons, the last of the major supermarkets to concede to one. “We’ve had five bargaining sessions with Ralph’s. Albertsons refuses to engage in formal negotiations,” said Chavez. “We’re here to pressure them to go back to the table and [to] just be fair. We’re not asking for a lot, we know that the economy is bad. We’re willing to take concessions on wages, but we’re not willing to compromise the health of our janitors.”
Santa Barbara and Ventura county janitors... called for fairer wages, better healthcare, and a safer working environment...
Janitors claimed that their health is being put at risk by the toxic chemicals in the cleaning products, and criticized supermarkets — namely Albertsons... “A lot of these chemicals [used for cleaning] are outlawed in penitentiaries and schools,” Mike Chavez, SEIU Local 1877’s political coordinator. “How is it that we’re protecting criminals from these chemicals and we’re exposing the general public, in this case our janitors, to them?”
Protestors complained that after a day’s work, they either feel dizzy, nauseous, or that their throats hurt. “In some cases, [we] bleed in our nose because some of those chemicals are so concentrated,” said a SEIU member. “We contribute to this community, we do an excellent job, and we like what we do, but we need the company to commit to decent wages and respect [us].” Photos of worker’s hands, broken in rashes from chemicals, stood by the entrance of the supermarket, distracting customers as they walked in...
In addition to unsafe working environments, janitors also protested having to pay higher wages for healthcare, especially while supermarkets remain one of the few industries unscathed by the recession. “The supermarket industry is profiting because less people are eating out at restaurants and more people are eating at home,” said Chavez. “Yet, they’re crying wolf, saying that the economy is bad [which is why they’re] trying to scale back healthcare for our janitors. The combination of toxic chemicals and scaling back healthcare doesn’t make sense.”
Santa Barbara city councilmember Das Williams and Santa Maria city councilmember Hilda Zacarias showed support of the protest, speaking out against the supermarkets on behalf of the janitors. “[Janitors are already] working at wages that most of us couldn’t make it with. To ask them to take some of those hard-earned dollars and pay an increased cost in healthcare is unacceptable,” said Hilda Zacarias. “We’re going to ask you to tell Albertsons ‘No.’”
Williams, rallying directly beside the SEIU, also addressed the shoppers. “In the name of Santa Barbara, we ask Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons to stop using toxic materials for their cleaning supplies, transition to green materials like so many other industries are doing, and treat their workers fairly. This is a worker friendly town, and people want to shop at worker friendly businesses.”
In response to Tuesday’s protest and others like it throughout Southern California, Albertsons released a statement...
“... We work closely with our cleaning chemical suppliers to provide safe and effective cleaning products. The sanitation cleaning chemicals used to clean our stores are compliant with the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations and used in accordance with the manufacturers labeled directions.”
"... we are disappointed that this is the SEIU’s response to our commitment at the bargaining table. Albertsons believes the only way to get a new contract is to negotiate at the bargaining table, but instead, the SEIU is focusing on conducting rallies about topics that are untrue.”
Protestors, however, maintain the chemicals are injuring not only janitors but also Albertsons customers due to the toxic environment their products are being sold in. “In an environmentally conscious community such as Santa Barbara, a lot of people buy organic products; but the chemicals that they are using in the store [that they buy them from] are not,” said Chavez...
The janitors hope their protest will result in a bargaining session with Albertsons, the last of the major supermarkets to concede to one. “We’ve had five bargaining sessions with Ralph’s. Albertsons refuses to engage in formal negotiations,” said Chavez. “We’re here to pressure them to go back to the table and [to] just be fair. We’re not asking for a lot, we know that the economy is bad. We’re willing to take concessions on wages, but we’re not willing to compromise the health of our janitors.”
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Differences
[ From: "Candidates Test Waters for 35th Seat," By Katie Tullsen, DAILY NEXUS, April 13, 2009 ]
Though still a year and half away, the race for the 35th District State Assembly seat is heating up as two former political allies prepare to square off...
Environmentalist Susan Jordan, the wife of current Assemblymember Pedro Nava, was the first candidate to publicly announce...
Jordan will likely face Santa Barbara City Councilman and UCSB alum Das Williams for the Democratic nomination, but Williams has yet to make an official declaration concerning his rumored candidacy.
“I have not made an official announcement,” Williams said recently of his intentions in the race. “But I am not denying that I am in the race.”
... Though they have been fervent allies on the Santa Barbara political scene in recent years, Jordan and Williams maintain that they offer voters two distinctive candidates with very different professional backgrounds.
Jordan, for her part, comes with many years of experience in both business and non-profit work. She co-founded the Vote the Coast organization and has been active in California Democratic politics since 1996.
“My strengths are thirty years of nonprofit advocacy in women’s issues and the environment,” she said. “I will bring a background of both business and advocacy together. These two skills best qualify me to fight for the people in this district.”
Williams, meanwhile, worked for a few years in the Sacramento legislature and has six years experience serving as a member on the Santa Barbara City Council. Williams, who grew up in and around Santa Barbara, said he believes that a true understanding of the community is key.
“I stay really close to grassroots,” he said. “I know what’s going on in our community and the community next to us, and I know what’s important to both.”
Jordan and Williams have slightly different political platforms, yet they both agree that the environment is one of their top three priorities. If elected, Jordan also plans on focusing on healthcare and education, and says that she is concerned with the economy and its effects in this district...
For his part, Williams’ top three priorities are the environment, public safety and education. He says that he fears that the public education system is being destroyed.
“I was going to school in 1996 it was $4,000 per quarter,” he said. “And depending on the school district, eight to ten percent of teachers are being pink-slipped. We are underestimating what it will do to our ability to educate kids and have an educated work force. I believe it’s going to take strong leadership to help avoid total destruction of public education system.”
... Williams says that his reputation for putting action to his words will aid him in this election.
“I think I’ve been effective at not being a wishy-washy politician,” he said. “I’ve really pushed hard, and been an advocate and activist myself, rather than just a wishy-washy politician.”
-----------------------
For full text, please go to:
DAILY NEXUS: Candidates Test Waters
Though still a year and half away, the race for the 35th District State Assembly seat is heating up as two former political allies prepare to square off...
Environmentalist Susan Jordan, the wife of current Assemblymember Pedro Nava, was the first candidate to publicly announce...
Jordan will likely face Santa Barbara City Councilman and UCSB alum Das Williams for the Democratic nomination, but Williams has yet to make an official declaration concerning his rumored candidacy.
“I have not made an official announcement,” Williams said recently of his intentions in the race. “But I am not denying that I am in the race.”
... Though they have been fervent allies on the Santa Barbara political scene in recent years, Jordan and Williams maintain that they offer voters two distinctive candidates with very different professional backgrounds.
Jordan, for her part, comes with many years of experience in both business and non-profit work. She co-founded the Vote the Coast organization and has been active in California Democratic politics since 1996.
“My strengths are thirty years of nonprofit advocacy in women’s issues and the environment,” she said. “I will bring a background of both business and advocacy together. These two skills best qualify me to fight for the people in this district.”
Williams, meanwhile, worked for a few years in the Sacramento legislature and has six years experience serving as a member on the Santa Barbara City Council. Williams, who grew up in and around Santa Barbara, said he believes that a true understanding of the community is key.
“I stay really close to grassroots,” he said. “I know what’s going on in our community and the community next to us, and I know what’s important to both.”
Jordan and Williams have slightly different political platforms, yet they both agree that the environment is one of their top three priorities. If elected, Jordan also plans on focusing on healthcare and education, and says that she is concerned with the economy and its effects in this district...
For his part, Williams’ top three priorities are the environment, public safety and education. He says that he fears that the public education system is being destroyed.
“I was going to school in 1996 it was $4,000 per quarter,” he said. “And depending on the school district, eight to ten percent of teachers are being pink-slipped. We are underestimating what it will do to our ability to educate kids and have an educated work force. I believe it’s going to take strong leadership to help avoid total destruction of public education system.”
... Williams says that his reputation for putting action to his words will aid him in this election.
“I think I’ve been effective at not being a wishy-washy politician,” he said. “I’ve really pushed hard, and been an advocate and activist myself, rather than just a wishy-washy politician.”
-----------------------
For full text, please go to:
DAILY NEXUS: Candidates Test Waters
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Mission & 101
"City Councilmember Das Williams — who grew up using Santa Barbara bike paths — called the thoroughfare the 'missing link' between the Modoc bike path and the Castillo/Bath Street bike lanes downtown." [ SB INDEPENDENT ]
Santa Barbara City Councilmembers Helene Schneider and Das Williams, Mayor Marty Blum and Councilman Roger Horton. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk photo)
[ The following is excerpted from: "Mission Street Completes Its Side Project - Bike lanes and a spruced up pedestrian area give the Highway 101 undercrossing a more user-friendly feel," By Lara Cooper, NOOZHAWK, April 7, 2009 ]
Cyclists now have new bike lanes to take advantage of on busy Mission Street at the Highway 101 undercrossing, thanks to a completed project the city of Santa Barbara has had in the works for nearly a decade.
City officials, community members and cycling advocates gathered Monday to celebrate completion of the $1.5 million worth of service improvements for the area of Mission Street at Highway 101. In addition to bike lanes on each side of Mission, pedestrian areas got new ramps, wider sidewalks, more street lighting, traffic signal modifications, curbs, gutters and retaining walls.
The site has long been a source of irritation for local cyclists and pedestrians, and the improvements were welcomed by Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig, who was present at the ribbon cutting. Fertig called the area one of “the scariest places for people on bicycles,” and said that adding the actual lanes made a “tremendous difference.”
“Before you were in the lane with all the cars and you hope they see you,” said Fertig, who expressed appreciation for the improved traffic signals, which can now detect the presence of bicycles...
Gregg Hart of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments said Santa Barbara was on the cutting edge making sure that pedestrians and bicycles have an equal share of the roadway. Funding for the project was administered through SBCAG from a federal transportation enhancement grant.
“About 10 years ago state law was changed to give a lot more authority to regional agencies, like SBCAG,” he said. “As a result, I think you see a lot more projects that are community oriented ... that are important to the people of Santa Barbara, rather than something that Sacramento thinks is appropriate for our community.”
While the bike lanes clearly make a difference at the highway undercrossing, cyclists riding toward State Street will continue to have little margin for error in the narrow and congested, four-lane stretch of Mission Street between Castillo and De la Vina streets.
The city-managed project was designed by MNS Engineers, constructed by Lash Construction and overseen by Penfield & Smith. The project was funded by six sources including the Regional Surface Transportation Program, Local Surface Transportation, Transportation Enhancement, Local Streets and Caltrans Agreement Funds.
Santa Barbara City Councilmembers Helene Schneider and Das Williams, Mayor Marty Blum and Councilman Roger Horton. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk photo)
[ The following is excerpted from: "Mission Street Completes Its Side Project - Bike lanes and a spruced up pedestrian area give the Highway 101 undercrossing a more user-friendly feel," By Lara Cooper, NOOZHAWK, April 7, 2009 ]
Cyclists now have new bike lanes to take advantage of on busy Mission Street at the Highway 101 undercrossing, thanks to a completed project the city of Santa Barbara has had in the works for nearly a decade.
City officials, community members and cycling advocates gathered Monday to celebrate completion of the $1.5 million worth of service improvements for the area of Mission Street at Highway 101. In addition to bike lanes on each side of Mission, pedestrian areas got new ramps, wider sidewalks, more street lighting, traffic signal modifications, curbs, gutters and retaining walls.
The site has long been a source of irritation for local cyclists and pedestrians, and the improvements were welcomed by Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig, who was present at the ribbon cutting. Fertig called the area one of “the scariest places for people on bicycles,” and said that adding the actual lanes made a “tremendous difference.”
“Before you were in the lane with all the cars and you hope they see you,” said Fertig, who expressed appreciation for the improved traffic signals, which can now detect the presence of bicycles...
Gregg Hart of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments said Santa Barbara was on the cutting edge making sure that pedestrians and bicycles have an equal share of the roadway. Funding for the project was administered through SBCAG from a federal transportation enhancement grant.
“About 10 years ago state law was changed to give a lot more authority to regional agencies, like SBCAG,” he said. “As a result, I think you see a lot more projects that are community oriented ... that are important to the people of Santa Barbara, rather than something that Sacramento thinks is appropriate for our community.”
While the bike lanes clearly make a difference at the highway undercrossing, cyclists riding toward State Street will continue to have little margin for error in the narrow and congested, four-lane stretch of Mission Street between Castillo and De la Vina streets.
The city-managed project was designed by MNS Engineers, constructed by Lash Construction and overseen by Penfield & Smith. The project was funded by six sources including the Regional Surface Transportation Program, Local Surface Transportation, Transportation Enhancement, Local Streets and Caltrans Agreement Funds.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Why DAS Runs
Das wrote to SantaBarbarasBlog.com, giving his reasons why he's running for the 35th Assembly District:
“As I visited teachers last week, and I saw how many were getting laid off, a feeling that had been growing inside me became urgent.
I know you’ve felt it too, that overwhelming sense of wrong, when we look at our society and realize we’ve truly failed at adequately planning for a future. With a damaged economy, hundreds of teachers being laid off, and our environment in peril, it is an intimidating time to be in government; but a time when it is more important than ever to present solutions for our time.
I’ve searched my heart and found the truth that I don’t know all the answers, but I have the energy and passion to work on those solutions.
The challenges of gang violence, fires, and budget deficits have seasoned me, helped to prepare me for this time. In fact I think of these challenges much as a firefighter does: you don’t hope for a fire, but you have to be trained for one.
The combination of doing legislative work here and in the Capitol, nonprofit advocacy in Ventura County, and City government in Santa Barbara has given me a host of experiences in different policy areas, each one that will help prepare me for a different aspect of serving you. The fire that is consuming this state is a fiscal one, and year after year I have been faced with balancing the needs of parks, public safety, roads, transit, water, waste-water, saving money in disaster reserves, but still investing in our future.
I have weighed a tough decision, and asked many in the community for their input on it. Do I move on from my public service, retire so to speak (I am prevented by term limits from running a third time), or do I run for the Assembly next year? I’m in the race, and I hope that you can join me.” - Das Williams
------------------------------
To read the posting at SantaBarbarasBlog.com and comments, please go to:
SantaBarbarasBlog.com » Blog Archive » Das and the 35th Assembly District
“As I visited teachers last week, and I saw how many were getting laid off, a feeling that had been growing inside me became urgent.
I know you’ve felt it too, that overwhelming sense of wrong, when we look at our society and realize we’ve truly failed at adequately planning for a future. With a damaged economy, hundreds of teachers being laid off, and our environment in peril, it is an intimidating time to be in government; but a time when it is more important than ever to present solutions for our time.
I’ve searched my heart and found the truth that I don’t know all the answers, but I have the energy and passion to work on those solutions.
The challenges of gang violence, fires, and budget deficits have seasoned me, helped to prepare me for this time. In fact I think of these challenges much as a firefighter does: you don’t hope for a fire, but you have to be trained for one.
The combination of doing legislative work here and in the Capitol, nonprofit advocacy in Ventura County, and City government in Santa Barbara has given me a host of experiences in different policy areas, each one that will help prepare me for a different aspect of serving you. The fire that is consuming this state is a fiscal one, and year after year I have been faced with balancing the needs of parks, public safety, roads, transit, water, waste-water, saving money in disaster reserves, but still investing in our future.
I have weighed a tough decision, and asked many in the community for their input on it. Do I move on from my public service, retire so to speak (I am prevented by term limits from running a third time), or do I run for the Assembly next year? I’m in the race, and I hope that you can join me.” - Das Williams
------------------------------
To read the posting at SantaBarbarasBlog.com and comments, please go to:
SantaBarbarasBlog.com » Blog Archive » Das and the 35th Assembly District
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Surrey Race
From Kent Epperson, Director of SBCAG Traffic Solutions, about the kick-off to the campaign to use alternative transportation, competitively, for two months:
Big thanks go to everyone that made Tuesday night's event a great success. Thanks to Steve Cushman for being our MC, Supervisors Cabajal and Wolf and Mayor Blum for the theatrics, Council Members Schneider, House and Williams for supporting the great cause. Thanks to the six awesome employer teams - RMA, CEC, Cancer Center of SB, City of SB, the County of SB and of course Yardi Systems - the winner of the race! Thanks to our ambassador volunteers and traffic controllers and thanks to our event sponsors, the City of Santa Barbara, Wheel Fun Rentals, Wahoos Fish Tacos and KRUZ Radio and thanks for the cooperation of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market.
Despite several bumps in the road (figuratively and literally) the event was a great success, well attended and received some great press. You may have caught some of this, but here are the links to the KEYT story, and the Daily Sound article.
http://www.thedailysound.com/040109commuterchallenge
http://www.keyt.com/news/local/42234902.html?video=YHI&t=a
Also if you want to see some great photos taken by Daniel Girard of the race go to:
http://homepage.mac.com/danielgirard/CC-SR-09_WEB/index.htm
Cheers!
Kent Epperson
Director of SBCAG Traffic Solutions
260 N. San Antonio Rd. Suite B
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 961-8917
(805) 963-SAVE
FAX: (805) 961-8901
kepperson@sbcag.org
www.trafficsolutions.info
Big thanks go to everyone that made Tuesday night's event a great success. Thanks to Steve Cushman for being our MC, Supervisors Cabajal and Wolf and Mayor Blum for the theatrics, Council Members Schneider, House and Williams for supporting the great cause. Thanks to the six awesome employer teams - RMA, CEC, Cancer Center of SB, City of SB, the County of SB and of course Yardi Systems - the winner of the race! Thanks to our ambassador volunteers and traffic controllers and thanks to our event sponsors, the City of Santa Barbara, Wheel Fun Rentals, Wahoos Fish Tacos and KRUZ Radio and thanks for the cooperation of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market.
Despite several bumps in the road (figuratively and literally) the event was a great success, well attended and received some great press. You may have caught some of this, but here are the links to the KEYT story, and the Daily Sound article.
http://www.thedailysound.com/040109commuterchallenge
http://www.keyt.com/news/local/42234902.html?video=YHI&t=a
Also if you want to see some great photos taken by Daniel Girard of the race go to:
http://homepage.mac.com/danielgirard/CC-SR-09_WEB/index.htm
Cheers!
Kent Epperson
Director of SBCAG Traffic Solutions
260 N. San Antonio Rd. Suite B
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 961-8917
(805) 963-SAVE
FAX: (805) 961-8901
kepperson@sbcag.org
www.trafficsolutions.info
Friday, April 03, 2009
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Das 2 Run
[ From: "Williams to run for Assembly," By Colby Frazier, DAILY SOUND, April 2, 2009 ]
Less than a month after organizing an exploratory committee to probe his chances at winning the State Assembly’s 35th District seat, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams yesterday said he’s decided to officially enter the race.
The 34 year old, who is serving his final term on the city council and will be termed out in 2011, said his political career is at a crossroads: in one direction, he said retirement awaits, and in the other, the State Assembly.
“I’ve searched my heart to see if I can continue serving this community or if I should retire, and the way I can continue serving this community is to run for the assembly,” he said. “I feel I have more to give.”
As it stands, Williams will square off against Democratic colleague and friend, Susan Jordan, who is married to current 35th District Assemblymember Pedro Nava. Nava will be termed out next year.
When Jordan, 57, declared her intent to seek the seat a few months ago, Williams initially said he’d support her campaign.
But in January, after the duo fell on different sides of a controversial offshore oil drilling project, rumors swirled that Williams was considering entering the race.
Those rumors solidified in early February when 1st District County Supervisor Salud Carbajal announced he would “enthusiastically support” Williams if he decided to run.
Now it’s official, and so far, Williams said he’s received an outpouring of support from the community.
“I got an overwhelming response,” he said. “The people don’t want me to retire in 2011 and want me to continue serving.”
Williams, a teacher at Antioch University who at one time taught middle school in Los Angeles, decried recent cuts to public education, saying he doesn’t feel there are enough people at the state level defending education.
“It’s something that as a teacher I’m really passionate about,” he said.
If he’s elected, Williams also said he’d like to champion alternative energy causes, an arena he’s had success in at the city level.
... If Williams wins the seat, it will cut his final term on the city council short by a year.
-------------------------
For full text plus comments, please visit:
DAILY SOUND: Williams to Run
Less than a month after organizing an exploratory committee to probe his chances at winning the State Assembly’s 35th District seat, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams yesterday said he’s decided to officially enter the race.
The 34 year old, who is serving his final term on the city council and will be termed out in 2011, said his political career is at a crossroads: in one direction, he said retirement awaits, and in the other, the State Assembly.
“I’ve searched my heart to see if I can continue serving this community or if I should retire, and the way I can continue serving this community is to run for the assembly,” he said. “I feel I have more to give.”
As it stands, Williams will square off against Democratic colleague and friend, Susan Jordan, who is married to current 35th District Assemblymember Pedro Nava. Nava will be termed out next year.
When Jordan, 57, declared her intent to seek the seat a few months ago, Williams initially said he’d support her campaign.
But in January, after the duo fell on different sides of a controversial offshore oil drilling project, rumors swirled that Williams was considering entering the race.
Those rumors solidified in early February when 1st District County Supervisor Salud Carbajal announced he would “enthusiastically support” Williams if he decided to run.
Now it’s official, and so far, Williams said he’s received an outpouring of support from the community.
“I got an overwhelming response,” he said. “The people don’t want me to retire in 2011 and want me to continue serving.”
Williams, a teacher at Antioch University who at one time taught middle school in Los Angeles, decried recent cuts to public education, saying he doesn’t feel there are enough people at the state level defending education.
“It’s something that as a teacher I’m really passionate about,” he said.
If he’s elected, Williams also said he’d like to champion alternative energy causes, an arena he’s had success in at the city level.
... If Williams wins the seat, it will cut his final term on the city council short by a year.
-------------------------
For full text plus comments, please visit:
DAILY SOUND: Williams to Run
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
"I'm In"
[ From: "Das Williams: 'I’m in' - Santa Barbara City Councilman Throws Hat into State Assembly Race," by Jerry Roberts, SB INDEPENDENT, April 1, 2009 ]
... Das Williams told The Independent early Wednesday that he will definitely run for the 35th Assembly District seat.
The decision by the Santa Barbara city councilmember ends months of speculation and sets up a lively Democratic primary battle between two former allies: Williams and environmental attorney Susan Jordan, wife of Pedro Nava, the district’s outgoing incumbent.
“I don’t want to be coy,” Williams said in an April 1 interview. “I’m in.”
Williams said he would make a formal announcement of his candidacy “within the next couple of weeks,” and expected to have an impressive list of endorsements at that time. He said that while he has been eyeing a run for the Legislature for several years, he hesitated to jump into this campaign because of his past alliances with Jordan and Nava working on environmental issues.
Shortly before Jordan announced her candidacy last year, Williams said he met with her and Nava and was very surprised to hear that she was running. At that time, Williams spoke glowingly of Jordan in an interview with The Independent’s Nick Welsh, who reported that Williams “all but endorsed” Jordan for what Williams said then was “the greater community.” One reason for his statement at the time, Williams said Wednesday, was that he was working hard on Hannah-Beth Jackson’s Democratic bid for a state senate seat and didn’t want “to split progressives” in the middle of that campaign.
“I stand by those comments” in which he praised Jordan, Williams said on Wednesday. But he added that he also told Jordan and Nava “you can run, but I’m going to do it.”
Williams said that a decisive event in his final decision to run was the action taken by Jordan and Nava in helping to sink a painstakingly negotiated agreement between major environmental groups and Plains Exploration and Production oil company. With most local environmentalists and many elected officials lined up behind the agreement, Nava and Jordan angered many in the progressive community by strongly opposing the plan, which was voted down by the State Lands Commission in January. The deal would have expanded PXP drilling rights at the Trainquillion Ridge offshore from Vandenberg Air Force Base, in exchange of a mandatory shutdown date of 2022, thousands of acres of permanently protected onshore lands, approximately $350 million of tax revenue for Santa Barbara County, and at least $2 billion for the state...
-----------------------------
For full text, plus image and comments, please go to:
SBI: "I'm In"
... Das Williams told The Independent early Wednesday that he will definitely run for the 35th Assembly District seat.
The decision by the Santa Barbara city councilmember ends months of speculation and sets up a lively Democratic primary battle between two former allies: Williams and environmental attorney Susan Jordan, wife of Pedro Nava, the district’s outgoing incumbent.
“I don’t want to be coy,” Williams said in an April 1 interview. “I’m in.”
Williams said he would make a formal announcement of his candidacy “within the next couple of weeks,” and expected to have an impressive list of endorsements at that time. He said that while he has been eyeing a run for the Legislature for several years, he hesitated to jump into this campaign because of his past alliances with Jordan and Nava working on environmental issues.
Shortly before Jordan announced her candidacy last year, Williams said he met with her and Nava and was very surprised to hear that she was running. At that time, Williams spoke glowingly of Jordan in an interview with The Independent’s Nick Welsh, who reported that Williams “all but endorsed” Jordan for what Williams said then was “the greater community.” One reason for his statement at the time, Williams said Wednesday, was that he was working hard on Hannah-Beth Jackson’s Democratic bid for a state senate seat and didn’t want “to split progressives” in the middle of that campaign.
“I stand by those comments” in which he praised Jordan, Williams said on Wednesday. But he added that he also told Jordan and Nava “you can run, but I’m going to do it.”
Williams said that a decisive event in his final decision to run was the action taken by Jordan and Nava in helping to sink a painstakingly negotiated agreement between major environmental groups and Plains Exploration and Production oil company. With most local environmentalists and many elected officials lined up behind the agreement, Nava and Jordan angered many in the progressive community by strongly opposing the plan, which was voted down by the State Lands Commission in January. The deal would have expanded PXP drilling rights at the Trainquillion Ridge offshore from Vandenberg Air Force Base, in exchange of a mandatory shutdown date of 2022, thousands of acres of permanently protected onshore lands, approximately $350 million of tax revenue for Santa Barbara County, and at least $2 billion for the state...
-----------------------------
For full text, plus image and comments, please go to:
SBI: "I'm In"
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